Meet Australian teen actress, television figure, wildlife supporter, and our girl of the month, Bindi Irwin! Though majority know her as Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s daughter, she never had the problem of being overshadowed by her father’s success. At such an early stage in her life, Bindi has already been making a name for herself. Growing up, she caught onto her parents’ shared love for wildlife; a result of working on the show The Crocodile Hunter with her mom and dad, and enjoying a childhood surrounded by amazing animals at the Australia Zoo, which was owned and managed by the Irwin family themselves.

Bindi with her parents (photo from Capitalbay.com)

Bindi and her brother, Robert (photo from perthnow.com.au)

Bindi signing autographs for fans (photo from news.com.au)

In 2006, Bindi’s family suffered from the tragic loss of Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. At his memorial service, Bindi gave a heartwarming eulogy for her father, which earned her a standing ovation from the audience. She and her mother had promised to continue his work and to carry out the Irwin legacy. Bindi starred in the 2007 television documentary, My Daddy the Crocodile Hunter, as a tribute to her father. In the same year, Bindi continued to work on a new wildlife series for American television, Bindi: The Jungle Girl, where she got her nickname, in fact. In the show, she entertained and educated viewers about the wonders of wildlife with her knack for animals and nature. But of course, none of this would be complete without a little dance number, right? Yep, Bindi’s quite the entertainer. She acts, sings, dances, and RAPS. At just the age of 9, Bindi has already released a hip-hop album called Trouble in the Jungle. What were you up to when you were 9?

Bindi won the Logie Award for "Most Popular New Female Talent" (photo from dailytelegraph.com.au)

Photo from thereporter.com.au

Photo from suitcasesandstrollers.com

Photo from sunshinecoastdaily.com.au

Just to add a few more achievements to Bindi’s endless list, she has also released her own exercise video (Bindi Kidfitness), released a clothing line (Bindi Wear), hosted her own game show (Bindi’s Boot Camp), starred in a movie (Return to Nim's Island, 2013), and authored a book (Bindi Wildlife Adventures).

Bindi's only 15 and she's got her whole life ahead of her, but she's already been such a huge inspiration to many and avid wildlife promoter for most of her life. Already an international award-winning celebrity, she's got the power to influence the world, but that doesn't mean she's letting the fame get to her head. She's still in it for the sake of wildlife. Bindi strives to carry on her family's legacy, takes on new adventures, and continues to instill in her fans a positive attitude toward the flora and the fauna.

This month's theme may be about flora and fauna, but we just have to talk about a different kind of wild: the uncontrollable, crazy, and fierce kind of wild. And the first notorious young lady that comes to mind is definitely Taylor Momsen. Ever since she transformed into her current rebellious state, the 20 year old singer-songwriter, model, and former actress has had a habit of being on the bad side of the news. So what happened to the sweet Cindy Lou Who that everyone adored in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

At the very young age of two, she started her modeling career at Ford Models against her will. She admitted that because of this, she was constantly absent from school and that she didn't have any friends. Along with modeling, she continued to work as a child actress, appearing in Spy Kids 2 and Hansel & Gretel. (Fun fact: she actually auditioned for Hannah Montana and was even a part of the top three choices!) And we can't forget her breakthrough role as Jenny Humphrey in the hit TV show Gossip Girl. It was at this time that the public took notice of her and that meant that everything about her was under the spotlight. It was also at this time that Taylor went through a bit of a rough patch in her life. No, she didn't have a meltdown in the middle of the set or go to rehab. In fact, it was almost a quiet and private deal.

She announced that she would be taking an indefinite hiatus from acting and that she would be focusing on her music. It all seemed okay until a sudden change in her style and attitude. In less than a year, she changed from preppy to punk; she ditched her couture style and opted for a more rock and roll vibe. That meant very heavy eye make-up, a lot of drinking… and electrical tape on her nipples. And as if her wardrobe change wasn't shocking enough, she posed half naked for Revolver magazine while she was only 17 years old! She also posed in racy outfits for FHM and Maxim soon after that. Bye-bye, innocent lil-J. She recently said that "I do not foresee myself acting anytime in the near future. I am very, very focused on music." But let's look at the glass half full because this just means that more music from The Pretty Reckless is on the way! In fact, their second album Going to Hell came out just last March. So whether you love her or hate her, you'll definitely agree that this week's woman crush wednesday is one hot wild child. xx Victoria Urrutiaclick photos for sources

Before, we talked about PETA and how they advocate their beliefs in horrible ways. This time around, we’re going to talk about another interesting - for lack of a better word - campaign upholding animal rights.

About two years ago, Lush cosmetics started a campaign that encouraged its customers to sign a petition to stop animal testing in the cosmetics industry. To promote their cause, they hired Jacqueline Traide, a 24-year-old performance artist, to be subjected to the same kind of experiments animals go through in their Regent Street store for the whole of London to see.

Below is a video documenting the ordeal (the video is very graphic, so if you’re a bit queasy or feel triggered by torture, I suggest you skip it):

For 10 whole hours, Traide was restrained, force-fed, shaved, injected with all sorts of chemicals, and much more. Passersby looked shocked and were driven by the show to sign the petition, which was the intent of the whole protest. Lush wanted the world to know that what was done to Traide was being done to thousands of animals every single day.

However, was it really necessary to go to such lengths, to physically torture this woman in front of people, to fight for animal rights?

To be honest, when I first read about this campaign, I was flabbergasted, and disgusted, to say the least. I understand that they really intended to shock people and provoke people to take action, but to dehumanize and humiliate a woman was just too much. To me, it didn’t seem like a protest for animal cruelty; however provocative and inspiring as it may be, it seemed more like an act of violence against a human being, specifically against women. I'm pretty sure there are many other ways to fight for a cause that wouldn't intentionally cause harm on a person and wouldn't be triggering for people who might have been victims of abuse in the past.

In her defense, however, Traide herself made a statement about the situation:

"It was in trepidation that I took on board this performance but not without respect or understanding of its potential, diverse and far reaching affect.

"I am not only a performance artist but also a teacher, a woman, a friend, a consumer, a feminist, a victim of sexual abuse, a student and most of all a fellow human being. A human who seeks to work for freedom through all of my identities.

"It was somewhere after the fourth hour of this live act that I found my self asking the question ‘why exactly am i here?’. I realised then that it was not to lush, nor to the onlookers but to the beings, animals and humans alike, that endure such suffering without choice.

"I am very aware of the consequences arising out of such a performance and feel it is of great important to stimulate and bring new perspectives and awareness on all levels.I hope that the emotions and opinions the performance has provoked in people will inspire people to channel these energies into going out and fighting for all these injustices in the world through art, live action, performance, theatre, dance and music as well as an expression through debate – for if not through diverse mediums and the coming together through our many identities and creativity will these things can be changed?"

So, what do you think? Were you moved by her performance or were you just as disgusted as I was?

In July 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall traveled from England to what is today Tanzania and bravely entered the little-known world of wild chimpanzees. She was equipped with nothing more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars. But with her unyielding patience and characteristic optimism, she won the trust of these initially shy creatures. She managed to open a window into their sometimes strange and often familiar-seeming lives. - National Geographic

Photo by Martin Schoeller

Dame Jane Morris-Goodall, DBE is a British primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist who’s deemed to be one of the leading experts in chimpanzees. Goodall studied these apes for 45 years and has accomplished studies no scientist has ever accomplished before. Because of her lack of collegiate knowledge on chimpanzees, she observed and studied them on a more personal level than what other scientists might have done. Goodall discovered that like humans, these apes have individual personalities and show affection. Chimpanzees have found out to be capable of displaying emotion and are equipped with strong social relationships within their tribes. These discoveries have concluded that humans and chimpanzees have great similarities beyond genes, which can be seen through their capacity to depict emotion. Despite their friendly behaviors, Goodall also learned that they can be very dangerous. These apes have the tendency to be very violent which can sometimes result to cannibalism.

She is also noted for her strong support towards animal rights. Goodall was the former president of Advocated for Animals which is an organization that denounces the use of animals in medical research. She is also a devoted vegetarian. She strongly believes that animals are more intelligent than people believe them to be and so it is not right to breed them for the use and consumption of human beings. Her active participation in supporting animal rights has led her to establish the Jane Goodall Institute. This institute aims to preserve the habitat of great apes and to provide a greater understanding of animals through public education and advocacy. With this, Goodall also established an education program called Roots & Shoots which teaches the youth to interact with the environment as well as learn more about different lifeforms and cultures worldwide.

Photo by Hugo Van Lawick

Goodall has received over 30 different awards for her works including honorary doctorate degrees from eight different universities all over the world and the International Peace Award.

Nudism, or to be more accurate, naturism, is a movement that promotes social nudity both publicly and privately. It advocates being in touch with one’s own body and with nature. The International Naturist Federation defines it as: “a lifestyle in harmony with nature, expressed through social nudity, and characterised by self-respect of people with different opinions and of the environment.” There two main types of naturism, and these are:

1. Private nudity, which is done either alone or with family members; and

2. Social nudism, which refers to nudity in the company of other people. This can be practiced in a number of places: in naturist facilities, where it is either optional or required to be completely naked; nude beaches, where anyone, even those who do not practice nudism, can be fully nude (of course while respecting those who are nudists); nude recreation, which is participating in sports events in the nude; festival naturism; and naturism in the wild.

However, this practice is considered taboo by many, which is why there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding it. One of the most common misconceptions is that nudists or naturists are sexual deviants, perverts, exhibitionists, voyeurs, and the like; while there are some who think that they are asexual. Both of these are untrue, because while nudists do in fact have sex, it is not their ultimate purpose for being naked. Naturists are not as easily aroused as people might think they are. They are just more open compared to non-nudists, and are more comfortable being in their own skin and seeing other people naked. In fact, exhibitionist or voyeuristic activities are strictly prohibited anywhere nudism is practiced.

But because nudism is often (wrongly) equated to sexual deviancy, people think that it is illegal. While it is true that there are a lot of places wherein nudity is a public offence, there are still some places (like the naturist facilities mentioned earlier) where nudists can freely practice their lifestyle.

Another myth about nudists is that they are always naked, which is false; though they are naked as often as possible, they do in fact wear clothes when the situation demands it - for example, due to cold weather. It is also untrue that nudism is only for adults, because most nudists with children also encourage their children to participate in nudism. Also, contrary to popular belief, nudists do have a sense of privacy like any other person.

The most absurd misconception about nudism is the idea that it is a new and alien practice, because it definitely is not. Nude is our natural state of being - we were all born naked - and clothes used to just be ways to keep warm. But in this day and age, clothing is practically required, which is why being without clothes comes with stigma. It is probably only recently that nudism is starting to be more accepted, what with the growth of many nudist communities.

Thinking of becoming a nudist/naturist? No worries! There are plenty advantages to being a nudist, and it is also super easy to become one. Here are some tips to living a naturist lifestyle:

Understand what naturism is. It is not just about being naked, it is being comfortable in the skin you were born in, and being in touch with nature. Nudity is our natural state of being, and by being in this state, one will feel closer to nature. It is also not inherently sexual, although having sexual feelings while being naked is perfectly normal and natural.

Practice on your own first. You don't have to be naked in public right away, but you can build up to it. Start at home, where you feel comfortable. Sleep naked, do you chores naked, etc. This will help you become more familiar with being naked. Be conscious, however, of neighbors who might not be comfortable with nakedness.

Talk to your family and friends about it. They might not be comfortable with nudism, so it is important that you're sensitive to their feelings. Or, if they are, encourage them to join you. If you have a partner, encourage them to join you to make your relationship more intimate, not just sexually, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

Join a nudist community. Research online for communities near you, and join them once you feel comfortable. Don't worry about your physical insecurities because most communities don't mind; in fact, they welcome all types of people, so don't be scared! Just know what the rules and guidelines of the community are and make sure that you agree with them.

Visit a nudist beach or resort. Not only will you be able to practice nudism safely in these places, but you'll also be able to meet fellow nudists. Maybe you can even bring your friends along for a holiday!

Be comfortable, but at the same time, know your boundaries. Even though you're comfortable and confident enough to be naked, many people aren't. As mentioned earlier, nudism is still pretty taboo in many places, which is why you have to understand that not everyone welcomes nudists. That doesn't mean you have to stop being nudist, just practice it in such a way that you're not upsetting other people.

One thing I don't like about activists is that they're so loud and repetitive it's annoying. Hey, don't get me wrong, I'm all about human rights, animal rights, all those things for a better and more equal world. But no one needs to shout it in my face or flash their boobs out to make their point. In other words, I do not like radicalism.

One of the many radical activists in the world is PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. I didn't start frowning upon this group till they started using women for their advertisements. Which I transition to my first point: Do not succumb to objectifying women for your cause. That is not how you get to your point. That is not good marketing. They make Pamela Anderson look cheaper than she already does. As far as feminism goes, this is not being hyper-aware. The ads are really, and I mean really, meant give the male demographic a hard-on.

Wait, you think this is bad? Wait till you read about their publicity stunts. To showcase that vegetarianism is superior over any other type of diet, they have publicly demonstrated their points in the most disturbing way I can imagine.

They set up a site and showcased "human BBQ". With paper flames of course but it wouldn't be easy to remove the image of a red roasted human whenever you sink your teeth into some BBQ.

Collaborating with Ben & Jerry's they produced the horrific breast milk ice cream.

Setting up a poster comparing animals to Holocaust victims... in Germany. Wow. What even.

Last and not the least, they do kill animals. Although they coin their actions as euthanasia or mercy killing, I still don't think it's right to just kill off the animals if you can't find them a home. Give them a peaceful death if they are too much in pain and are near death, but why in God's name would you kill them if they just won't get adopted that fast? It practically goes against their own stand!

You know what this reminds me of? The Westboro Baptist Church. Yeah, they're that bad.

I first came across her Instagram a year ago when she was mentioned by one of the celebrities I follow. I got curious as to who she is and what she does and as I skimmed through her account, I instantly became a fan.

Jenni Epperson is one of the country’s top celebrity stylists, lifestyle blogger, entrepreneur, wife, and mom. She gets to style A-list celebrities and other members of the high society. Her massive amount of followers learn from her everyday – be it fashion-related or a new healthy recipe. She made a name for herself with her passion for the fashion and lifestyle industry.

In 2011, Jenni launched Fashion + Food: Entertaining at Home in Style. This book celebrates life, the usual occasions such as birthdays and Christmas, and turning normal days into special occasions. Each chapter starts out with a formula: What to wear + What to eat = Special occasion.

May of 2013, Jenni put together fashion and home interior design, and created Jenni Epperson Lifestyle Pop-up Store in collaboration with The Ramp Crossings.Jenni envisioned creating a brand that keeps up with one’s lifestyle. Her first collection played on a minimalist approach with a colour palette of black, white, and hints of metallic.

As one of the health-enthusiasts I know, the food section of her blog, JenniEpperson.com, is filled with a vast amount of organic recipes that are incredibly satisfying and so easy to do. (Cute story: there are times when her daughter, Aryanna, would post photos of hot chocolate, cinnamon roll, or frappe, and Jenni would usually comment things like "*head shake*", "too much sugar!!!", or simply, "ARYANNA!!" and her daughter would reply, "it's worth it.")

I look up to Jenni Epperson because despite holding the titles of Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards’ Best Lifestyle Blog Award and Stylebible.Ph’s Visual Style Awards’ Best Online Reporter, a growing fan base, and the hectic life of being in the industry, Jenni remains to be grounded, approachable, and continues to seek inspiration from her beautiful family, husband Tom and kids, Aryanna and Dylan (whom I have grown to be a fan of, as well.) She makes it a point that her children aren't sucked into the technology world and connects them with the outside world. They usually spend time in a park, skating, letting Dylan run around the play ground, playing volleyball, exercising, or just simply spending time together, one with nature. Jenni is definitely a super cool, super fabulous super mom.